XVIII. Contributions to terrestrial magnetism. — No. VIII

• Published in: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 1846
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstl.1846.0019; https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rstl.1846.0019

Containing a Magnetic Survey of the Southern Hemisphere between the Meridians of 0° and 125° East, and Parallels of —20° and —70°. The Antarctic Expedition, under Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R. N., has furnished the materials for maps of the three magnetic elements in the high latitudes of the southern hemisphere for nearly two-thirds of its circumference. The first and second portions of the results, comprising between the meridians of 125° and 300°, have already been communicated to the Royal Society, and are contained in the Vth and Vlth Numbers of these Contributions*; a third portion, comprehending between the meridians of 300° and 360°, is in preparation and will shortly be laid before the Society. In order to complete the magnetic survey of the high latitudes of the southern hemisphere as far as they are accessible, there remained the portion between the longitudes of 0° and 125°, or thereabouts. The tracks of vessels in the employ of the enterprising merchants, the Messrs. Enderby, had shown that no difficulties of serious importance obstructed the navigation of the ocean in the vicinity of the Antarctic Circle between the meridians specified: and there appeared to be little reason to doubt, that a vessel, despatched from the Cape of Good Hope, might accom­plish this remaining portion of the survey in a single season, without encountering any particular risk. Lieut. Clerk, of the Royal Artillery, had been attached by Lord Vivian, Master-General of the Ordnance, to the Magnetic Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope, with the express view of being engaged in a magnetic survey, either of the colony itself, or of such portion of the globe as might be conveniently accessible from it; and on his passage from England to the Cape had had an opportunity of practising with the instruments employed in a magnetic survey conducted on the ocean. The com­pletion of the survey of the high latitudes appeared the most important service which Lieut. Clerk could render to magnetical science; and on its being proposed to ...